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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 22. Social Services
Agency 40. Department of Social Services
Chapter 201. Permanency Services - Prevention, Foster Care, Adoption and Independent Living
11/21/2024

22VAC40-201-60. Assessment.

A. Assessments shall be conducted in a manner that respectfully involves children and birth parents or prior custodians to give them an opportunity for shared decision making. Decision making shall include input from children, youth, birth parents or prior custodians, and other interested individuals. Assessments shall be used both in the establishment of foster care goals and also to inform service plans.

B. The initial foster care assessment shall be completed within timeframes developed by the department but shall not exceed 30 calendar days after acceptance of the child in a foster care placement.

C. When a child has been removed from his home as a result of abuse or neglect, the initial foster care assessment shall include a summary of the Child Protective Services' safety and risk assessments.

D. The history and circumstances of the child, the birth parents or prior custodians, or other interested individuals shall be assessed at the time of the initial foster care assessment to determine their service needs. The initial foster care assessment shall:

1. Include a comprehensive social history;

2. Utilize assessment tools designated by the department;

3. Be entered into the department's automated child welfare system; and

4. Include a description of how the child, youth, birth parents or prior custodians, and other interested individuals were involved in the decision making process.

E. Assessment shall be ongoing and evaluate the effectiveness of services to the child, birth parents or prior custodians, and foster or adoptive parents and the need for additional services as long as the goal is to return home. For all other goals, assessments of the effectiveness and need for additional services shall occur at least every six months after placement for as long as the child remains in foster care.

F. The service worker shall refer the child, birth parents or prior custodians, and foster or adoptive parents for appropriate services identified through the assessment. The assessment shall include an assessment of financial resources.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-319, and 63.2-900 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 8, January 11, 2017.

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